Feeling sick when lifting weights

vanessapreston66
vanessapreston66 Posts: 16 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have lost a lot of weight about 7 stone, in the past by restricting my diet to around 1200 cals a day. I was also becoming obsessed with exercise and would do it all day, either by trekking, cycling or swimming etc. The problem came when I started to increase calories only by small amounts, the weight started to creep on. I was too afraid to eat much more than the 1200 cals. Life was a constant battle of being on this 'diet'. Slowly over the last 10 years the weight has crept back on. I decided not eating was not an option and have to admit overeating and drinking became my new obsession add that to lifes ups and downs I became 264lbs at 5ft 10".

I was recommended this site recently and have lost some weight already which is great. This time definately eating a lot more. I have a physical job as a gardener and the Spring season is fast approaching so I have started going down the gym to gain more strength for lifting heavy machinery, such as hedgecutters etc. Also i want to preserve as much muscle mass as possible whilst losing weight. Trouble is I am feeling quite sick after just a while doing some strength work on my arms and chest etc. I have been doing 5 reps x 5 sets the 5th rep my muscles are struggling to perform the move, is that too much? I have been using the treadmill for approx 30 mins fast walking up 3% incline first and 10 mins on rowing machine to get everything warmed up. Is that too much maybe? Should I reduce the amount of cardio I do first, maybe just use rowing machine then lift weights, then do cardio if I am not dead already lol? I feel I can do more in my body, I just cant stand to feel so sick, so I must be doing something wrong. Is it the food I am eating before I go to the gym? I have a wholemeal sandwhich with soft cheese and a rice cake about 45 mins before.

Sorry for all questions, all feedback gratefully recieved. :)

Replies

  • TR0berts
    TR0berts Posts: 7,739 Member
    From what you said your goals are, only warm up for 5-10 minutes, and not at full throttle. If you want to do cardio work after lifting, that's fine - keep it to only about 30 minutes, though.

    Eating 45 minutes before working out should be OK - although some recommend a little longer, such as 60-90 minutes prior. But 45 minutes really should be fine. Personally - and this works for me, but not everyone - I typically eat about 20-30 minutes before working out.

    As far as the last rep goes, it should be somewhat difficult - harder as the weight you use goes up. You want to make sure you have proper form and didn't start out too heavy, though.
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    It's an individual thing, and you might have to tool with it a bit. I found that if I eat nothing before I lift, I get sick. If I eat too much, same thing. I've found that eating a couple of Quest bars seems to be right about the perfect balance for me.

    My wife on the other hand...if she eats anything before a morning lift, she's ready to spew after her second set.
  • vanessapreston66
    vanessapreston66 Posts: 16 Member
    Thanks for replies, thats great :)

    Will try to tweak the food and see how that goes and drop the cardio right down especially beforehand.
  • MyOwnSunshine
    MyOwnSunshine Posts: 1,312 Member
    I find that I do best if I eat something light with a combination of carbs, fat and protein about 45 minutes to an hour before I lift. An apple with some peanut butter, a bowl of Kashi cereal, cottage cheese, or something similar works well for me.
  • vanessapreston66
    vanessapreston66 Posts: 16 Member
    I find that I do best if I eat something light with a combination of carbs, fat and protein about 45 minutes to an hour before I lift. An apple with some peanut butter, a bowl of Kashi cereal, cottage cheese, or something similar works well for me.



    Thanks I love peanut butter, will def try this with apple. :bigsmile:
  • bostonwolf
    bostonwolf Posts: 3,038 Member
    Just seconding the advice to play around a bit. If I eat more than an hour before lifting I'm fine. Any closer than that and heavy lifting has left me puking a few times. Not fun.

    However I've also bonked in mid routine, also not fun. When i get back to 5x5 I'll probably have a VitaminWater or something with me just to make sure that doesn't happen.

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